Research

How Boston and Other American Cities Support and Sustain the Arts

Funding for Cultural Nonprofits in Boston and 10 Other Metropolitan Centers

TDC was delighted to partner with The Boston Foundation on this important study of Boston’s cultural and funding landscape. The report takes a detailed look at the breadth and depth of Boston’s arts community across a number of dimensions including discipline and budget size. Analysis found that Boston has an incredibly dense and vibrant cultural scene, and highly engaged and supportive arts patrons to match. Relative to peer cities, however, Boston’s cultural organizations face critical gaps, including robust support from foundations and government sources. Released in the midst of Boston’s cultural planning efforts, it is our hope that the report provides a useful snapshot of the state of the cultural community along with suggestions for potential levers for change.

After release of the report, lead author Julie Koo gave a presentation to arts funders and organizations in Boston. Slides from the presentation can also be downloaded here.  Julie also spoke with Anita Walker, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council, on the Council’s Creative Minds Out Loud podcast.

To see more on how Boston reacted to the report, check out the coverage in The Boston Globe (including a quote from our own Julie Koo!).